The Wolf of Los Angeles

Chapter 17: Money Received

At the Great Salt Lake Theater, Rob sat in the back row, waiting for a few minutes.

His assistant hurried over, handing him the collected forms. “Boss, 65 valid questionnaires returned. Average rating: three and a half stars.”

Rob glanced at the forms and said decisively, “Inform Katherine to prepare for a copyright discussion. Tell her I only have ten minutes.”

The assistant quickly located Katherine and Eric.

A few minutes later, the two parties convened in the theater’s office to negotiate the sale of District Heights copyright.

As a distributor, Castle Rock Entertainment occupied the top tier of the film industry chain, leaving Katherine and Eric no room to haggle. They quickly agreed to sell all rights to District Heights for $350,000.

On Main Street, under a streetlamp.

Inside Alpine Pizza, Brandt stood by the window, watching Hawk pace outside. He touched the injury at his mouth and felt a complex swirl of emotions.

In just a few days, he had experienced more shocks about earning money than he had in his entire life.

Is this what high-level business warfare is? It was nothing like he imagined or learned about in school.

Brandt sighed internally. Hawk’s style is truly simple and direct.

Larson approached from behind, glanced at Hawk outside, and asked, “Learned something?”

Brandt, suppressing the pain in his mouth, replied, “I feel like I’m learning all the wrong things.” Then he added, “Making money fast is so hard.”

Larson nodded in agreement. “Except for the tax bureau and capitalists, no one finds it easy to take money from someone else’s pocket.”

Brandt’s phone rang. After a brief conversation with Hawk, he told Larson, “I’m heading out with Hawk.”

Larson clapped him on the shoulder. “The festival’s just starting. Stick close to him and learn. The theater group’s future depends on you.”

Brandt followed Hawk to the hotel and entered Eric’s suite.

Katherine handed Hawk a freshly signed copyright transfer contract. “The District Heights copyright sold for $350,000.”

“Congratulations.” Hawk accepted the contract and quickly skimmed through it.

Without further ado, Katherine produced a prepared check. “Here’s the $5,000 remaining payment.”

Hawk inspected the check carefully and tucked it away.

Katherine explained, “The transfer funds haven’t been credited yet. Normally, we’d wait until Castle Rock’s payment clears to settle with you.”

Recalling Eric’s praise for Hawk, she decided to settle early as a favor. “You handled the George Hanson issue beautifully, so I’m choosing to pay your share in advance.” ȑἈＮỐBΕⱾ

Hawk replied, “You pay, I deliver—it’s only fair.”

Katherine pulled out her checkbook and started writing. “Two percent share—$7,000.”

Hawk accepted the check, stood, and said, “Our agreement is complete.”

Katherine shook his hand. “I hope we’ll work together again.”

“If you need me, you have my number,” Hawk said without hesitation.

As Hawk left, Eric walked him to the elevator.

While waiting for it, Eric suggested, “There’s a bar next to the hotel with a great vibe. Want to grab a drink tonight?”

After days of non-stop work, Hawk was ready for some downtime. “Sounds good. Seven o’clock, don’t be late.”

Eric grinned. “I’ll be waiting early.”

The elevator arrived, and Hawk shook hands with Eric before descending with Brandt.

The two stopped at a nearby coffee shop.

Brandt, anticipating what was coming, couldn’t hide his excitement despite his sore mouth. “How much did we make in total?”

Hawk laid it out: “The signed contract earned us $5,000; Katherine gave us another $5,000 that night; the news video sold for $1,000; and just now, we received $5,000 plus $7,000.”

Brandt did some quick mental math. “That’s $23,000.”

Hawk nodded and added, “Expenses were $1,000 for the gathering, and a little over $1,000 for audience payments, the amplifier, and other equipment—let’s round it to $1,000.”

Brandt chimed in, “We also spent on legal fees, dining, copying materials, and payments to Damian and Lewis. Those total about $1,000, too.”

Hawk concluded, “So, subtracting $3,000 in expenses, we netted $20,000.”

“In just four days, we made $20,000? That’s insane!” The money had clearly changed Brandt, making him speak with newfound composure. “We agreed I’d take 20%, so $4,000.”

Understanding the lure of money, Hawk said, “Let’s finish our coffee and head to the bank to transfer it.”

“Deal.” Brandt raised his coffee cup, though he didn’t drink right away, deep in thought.

Money was clearly driving him to change.

After a long sip, Brandt asked cautiously, “Will we keep doing similar deals?”

Sensing Brandt’s transformation, Hawk replied, “The festival lasts over a week. I plan to approach new production teams—this promotional method has more clients to tap into.”

“Next time, I want…” Brandt hesitated, then compromised, “three and a half percent.”

“Max is three,” Hawk countered.

Brandt nodded. “Fine, three it is.”

Hawk knew that after a few more ventures, Brandt would likely push for a 50% share. Money and human nature were always in flux.

After finishing their coffee, the two went to the bank.

Later, Hawk returned to Alpine Pizza to settle the gathering bill. He declined the bearded man’s drinking challenge and headed back to his accommodation to rest.

Days of running around, including a late-night outing, had left him exhausted.

When Hawk awoke, he found Brandt sitting by the fireplace, lost in thought.

“Thinking about what gift to get for your dream girl?” Hawk asked knowingly.

“Yes,” Brandt replied seriously. “Tiffany, Hermès, Chanel—which brand do you think is best?”

Hawk poured two glasses of water, handing one to Brandt as he sat across from him. “None of those.”

“Why not?” Brandt asked, surprised.

Hawk gave earnest advice: “Focus on making money. When you have enough, the women you dream of will come.”

Brandt, still believing in love, countered, “If I wait until I’m rich, I might miss out on someone special. If I don’t try, I’ll regret it.”

“Good luck, then,” Hawk said, changing the subject. “Does Park City have a gym, a fight club, or a shooting range? Ideally, all in one place.”

Brandt shook his head. “There are gyms, but I don’t recall seeing fight clubs or shooting ranges. Park City is mostly about ski resorts.”

After thinking for a moment, he added, “A multifunctional club like that might only be in Salt Lake City.”

Hawk made a mental note to search online after wrapping up his work in Park City.

His recent string of tasks and physical activity had slimmed him down considerably, shedding the puffiness in his face. But he knew his body wasn’t yet in peak condition.

Hawk spent some time examining the camcorder Eric had gifted him. Its functions were decent, and its night-vision capabilities were impressively clear.

Meanwhile, Brandt, fatigued, dozed off by the fireplace.

As night fell, Hawk woke him up. “Want to join me for drinks?”

Brandt remembered Eric’s invitation and waved him off. “No pretty girls? I’ll pass. Bring me back some late-night snacks.”

“Got it,” Hawk replied, heading to the bar on foot.

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